Cubs acquire Jesse Chavez from the Rangers

Not every trade this time of year is a blockbuster. In fact, most of them consistent of minor improvements to contending teams that have a set core of really good players that just need to get a couple of supporting pieces to round out their rosters for the second half as they make a run towards the playoffs.

That is what we have here between the Cubs and Rangers. The Cubs currently occupy first place in the NL Central with a 55-38 record with much of the same talented core that helped them win a World Series. The Rangers, on the other hand, sit at the bottom of the NL West with a 41-56 record and, short of several BIG additions, are not going to contend any time soon.

The two teams were a match and made a deal.

Jesse Chavez has been very serviceable reliever for Texas this year, posting a 3.51 ERA and accumulating 0.9 rWAR in 30 appearances. Chavez isn’t a shut down closer, but will provide value down the stretch for a Cubs team that will need fresh arms down the stretch.

In return, the Rangers get a young starting pitching prospect in Tyler Thomas who is having a nice 2018 season. The Cubs 7th round pick in the 2017 draft has posted a 2.88 ERA in A-ball while striking out 81 batters and walking just 14 in 75 innings.